In the living room…
Sarah and Aiden are sitting on the sofa, next to each other, so close that their hips are connected.
Aiden is leaning back casually with his arm in on the backrest, and Sarah's shoulder is tucked under his armpit. They fit together like two puzzle pieces.
They agreed to maintain indifferent expressions in front of the Payne family, which is expected from soone with the surna White. However, both of them are high from their recent activity in the closet and the fact that they are so close together is forcing smiles on their faces.
Kitty by Sarah's side provides a perfect contrast with her black fur against their while clothes.
Noah and Zack are present as well, standing straight in sharp black suits, two steps behind Sarah and Aiden.
For this show, Sarah and Aiden are in the roles of rich youngsters who can't do much on their own. Aiden is a willful heir while Sarah is a love-stricken vase. Noah and Zack are there as bodyguards, to reinforce that image.
This setup has a goal to make Mr. Payne not suspect Sarah and Aiden as the ones who caused their current unfortunate situation. And it's working.
mbers of the Payne family are seated on the sofa chairs across the low coffee table from Sarah and Aiden (and Kitty).
Mrs. Payne is doing her best to stare at the refreshnts which are on the table. It is obvious that she does not want to be here.
Darlene is gritting her teeth while cursing Aiden for being so stuck to Sarah and he didn't want to look at her yesterday. Even now, he is not sparing her a glance!
Arthur is keeping his professional smile on. He does not like that he needs to suck up to this pair of youngsters, but the reality is harsh.
"I assu that this is not a social visit." Aiden wants to get to the point.
It's almost lunchti, and if these blasted people are not here, he would still be in the closet, enjoying quality ti with his wife.
Aiden can't wait for the Payne family to leave. But he can't chase them away either because they have a plan.
"Yes, yes…" Arthur gestured with his hand toward Gabriella who handed him an oversized gift bag.
"We would like to welco you to the neighborhood…", Arthur said while handing them the gift bag.
Without showing any interest in the bag, Aiden raised slightly his hand, and in three swift steps, Zack was by the table, taking Arthur's offering.
Arthur was not happy that Zack took the gift bag away and kept it on the side. Shouldn't they open it? That is how it usually goes. Aiden (or Sarah) would open the wooden box and admire the six elegant champagne glasses cradled in the luxurious deep blue satin. The glasses are so of the best that money can buy: imported from Europe, made out of fine crystal with diamond patterns that refracts the light as the most exquisite jewelry. These glasses are limited edition and they cost thousands of dollars! But Arthur didn't dare to voice his displeasure. Surely, they will open it later and appreciate the gift.
"Thank you for welcoming us. We thought that your daughter welcod us yesterday.", Aiden said lazily.
"Oh, no, no…", Arthur stumbled over his words. "Darlene ca out of curiosity, thinking that your Uncle Marcus still owns the place. When she told us that the owners changed, we decided to co and greet you in person. I apologize if her unannounced visit disturbed you."
Aiden nodded slightly. "I see. You ca here only to welco us. How kind of you."
Arthur smiled and took his drink. Good thing that Aiden and Sarah don't seem to be angry, that ans that yesterday Darlene exaggerated or maybe the White couple doesn't see it as a problem. Who knows how youngsters think these days?
"Love...", Aiden glanced at Sarah. "Did the Payne family announce themselves today?"
"Not that I know…", Sarah responded innocently.
Aiden made a face and continued talking to Sarah, like no one else is there. "Mr. Payne just apologized in case his daughter's unannounced visit disturbed us. Should they apologize for disturbing us now?"
Arthur's eyes darted anxiously from Aiden to Sarah. Is he chasing them away after making them wait for an hour and a half? And they accepted the present! But he has to swallow his anger and be polite. "Uhm… If it's a problem, we will leave and co back when it's more convenient..."
Aiden lifted his hand and responded magnanimously: "No need. We are neighbors and you are already here."
"That is generous of you…", Sarah said to Aiden softly, but everyone in the room heard her.
Aiden glanced at her and smirked. "I am always generous."
Arthur sipped his drink slowly while hoping that Aiden will not see how uncomfortable he is. What is this nonsense about apologizing for coming here? And it turns out that Whites are generous to host them in their house? Arthur felt his head throbbing. This didn't start well. Ah, it seems that Aiden is difficult to talk to. Arthur is supposed to ask for help, but how can he do that?
The silence was getting heavier by the second.
"For Christ's sake!", Darlene exclaid in frustration. She is watching them, and she can't take it anymore. She wants to leave! Seeing Aiden and Sarah being lovey-dovey while dismissing their presence, and her father almost kneeling in front of them is too much!
"Dad, you ca here to ask for help. Ask him!"
If the look can kill, Arthur would burn a hole in Darlene's forehead with his glare. How can she blurt out things like that?
Aiden lifted his eyebrows. "Help? What problem do you have that we can help?"
Arthur exhaled in frustration. Well, the cat is out of the bag. He might as well speak up now. "You see… we encountered a problem and we hoped that you can assist us."
Aiden waited for Arthur to say more, but he didn't. Aiden understood that Arthur's goal is for Aiden to say that they will help before he discloses what the problem is. Aren't they friendly neighbors? But Aiden is not born yesterday. Instead of saying 'yes' or 'no', Aiden decided to ask for clarification: "What is the problem?"
Arthur licked his lips nervously. Well, he said that he needs help, and Aiden asked for more details… He is already at this point, and there is no turning back. "A number of articles resurfaced online. I don't know who did it, but I know that it's a planned attack directed at my family and my business."
"An attack on YOUR family and YOUR business.", Aiden said slowly. "And why do you think that I can help you?"
"Well, we are neighbors and you are part of the White family…", Arthur said with insecurity obvious in his voice.
Aiden smiled. "You must value your family and your business greatly if you ca here to ask for help."
"Of course.", Arthur said confidently. Aiden's smile told him that there is hope! "I am a family man, and there is nothing more important to than my wife and my daughter. At the sa ti, my business is allowing to provide them with a comfortable life, so that makes it important as well."
Aiden nodded in approval. "I admire those qualities. The family should co first…", he looked at Sarah. "If soone is after my family, they will not have a good ending." Aiden made a dramatic pause and eyed Arthur before continuing: "You are expecting to use resources of my family in order to help you? We might be neighbors, but we just t. I assu that you are ready to offer so compensation in exchange for my help… or did you think that I will do it out of my own goodwill?"
Arthur was taken off-guard. He didn't think of this. Actually, part of him thought that there is no way Aiden will agree to help him, so he didn't think that he needs to repay the favor. "That… Of course, I will offer compensation."
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